Latest Property News around Barry, Cardiff, Bridgend

Ignorance should be no excuse for irresponsible landlords and buy-to-letters says Dean Sanderson of the Sanderson James estate agency and Chair of the National Association of Estate Agents in the North West.
The National Association of Estate Agents and the Association of Residential Lettings Agents joined forces earlier this year to form one large organisation and this move was in part due to the increasing number of DIY landlords who the organisations believe continue to see property as an easy way to earn a living.

“ Being a landlord is no longer as easy as it used to be,” said Sanderson.

“ The increase in the number of amateur landlords prompted the government to introduce a raft of new legislation designed to protect the health and safety of tenants but also to protect landlords from the various disasters that can occur when you get a bad tenant.

“ The increase in problems and complaints has seen our own business double as we face increasing numbers of both tenants and landlords who come to us to sort out problems and ask for advice. This area is a legal minefield and not many people appreciate the problems they can face.

“ The tenancy deposit scheme has been introduced to ensure that both parties don’t lose out financially and the scheme acts as an independent third party that will resolve financial disputes.

“ The scheme has been much publicised and what landlords may not realise is that if they are not protecting a tenant’s deposit they could be ordered to repay three times the amount to the tenant and so it is vitally important to register.”

Information for both parties is available on www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit.